Several Facts about Antibiotics

Antibiotics, designed to fight infections, have been one of the greatest medical advances of the past 100 years. But many health experts warn that we are entering a postantibiotic era, where drug-resistant “superbugs” threaten our health and economy.

Our behavior — how we use antibiotics and antibacterial products — may be part of the problem, Cleveland Clinic reports.

Genetic mutations randomly occur in nature. Bacterial genes mutate rapidly in millions of different combinations. Sometimes they get the right combination that helps them adapt to an environmental change — like the presence of an antibiotic. When that happens, only the cells containing the mutation will survive. With their competitors out of the picture, these antibiotic-resistant cells multiply quickly, becoming stronger and often deadlier.

“Before taking antibiotics, ask your doctor if you really need them.”, advises Paul DiCorleto, PhD from Lerner Research Institute.

Unfortunately, many people take antibiotics to treat viral infections like the flu or common cold. Antibiotics have no effect on these illnesses, but in a 2012 study, 36 percent of Americans believed antibiotics could treat the common cold. This misconception is dangerous. Antibiotic overuse can lead to drug resistance — not only in yourself but also in communities.

However, some researchers are developing the next generation of antibiotics by studying and exploiting our natural defense mechanisms.

For example, Carol de la Motte, PhD, of the Lerner Research Institute, found that hyaluronan (HA), a natural substance found in human breast milk, acts to protect the body from bacterial infections in the intestines. She also found that HA protects against Salmonella — the sometimes deadly bacteria associated with food poisoning. 

Because HA is a natural substance, bacteria are not likely to develop a tolerance or resistance to it.

Other antimicrobial peptides have returned to the spotlight recently for potential clinical use. More than 2,000 peptides are currently available for study. And a group of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has designed antimicrobial peptides in the laboratory and shown that they can kill multi-drug-resistant pathogens. These engineered peptides may offer a viable alternative to traditional antibiotics.